CEBU, Philippines — Three nurses involved in the publication of a video of a patient at the Tuburan District Hospital have lost their jobs.

Provincial Health Office (PHO) chief Rene Catan said there was "direct responsibility and liability" on the part of the nurses in recording and sharing the video of drug suspect Gembe Casas begging for help at the hospital.

Casas was brought to the hospital after getting wounded during an anti-drug operation.

"Clearly, there was a violation of the hospital directive with regard to not using cellphones. Moreover, taking pictures sa atong workplace," Catan said.

PHO’s grievance committee found out that one of the nurses took the video, while another shared it with two other people, one of whom was a cousin who eventually posted the video online.

The third nurse, while not in possession of a copy of the video, took a photo of the patient.

A midwife is also under investigation for asking a copy of the video. Her case will be forwarded to human resources because she is a permanent employee of the provincial government.

Catan said none of the nurses knew the patient was a suspect in a buy-bust operation, and recorded the scene only to determine his identity.

"Ang ilahang reason gyud ato, ang gisulti niya sa investigation, to me and the governor, was for record purposes (They told me and the governor that they took a video and photo of the patient for records purposes)," he said.

Catan said the incident is not the first time medical personnel violated the privacy of patients, as there had been similar cases where even doctors were relieved from duty.

When US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo visited last week, he made assurances his country would come to the Philippines’ defense in the event of an armed attack on our vessels and aircraft in the South China Sea.

President Duterte and visiting Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad emphasized yesterday the importance of freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea in maintaining peace and progress in the region, which is grappling with territorial disputes as well as China’s muscle-flexing.